At a time when Europe faces growing mental health challenges linked to ongoing crises, displacement, isolation and uncertainty, ART4MENTAL explores how creative technologies can support emotional well-being and human connection.

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What if your art could help heal from trauma?
What if a VR experience could ease anxiety, process grief or restore hope?

‍ART4MENTAL is inviting 20 artists to find it out.

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This Creative Europe-funded initiative offers up to €5,000 sub-grants, professional training in immersive technologies and the chance to create work that will be used in real therapy sessions across Europe and Ukraine.

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What artists receive in addition to funding

Besides up to €5,000 sub-grant amount, selected artists will:

• participate in international study visits and bootcamps with experts in art, mental health, and immersive technologies;
• create their VR/immersive content with mentor support and technical guidance; in particular, you will learn how to

- shoot, stitch and post-process 360° video;

- transform your existing work into immersive VR-ready formats;

- apply spatial audio to deepen emotional impact;

- prepare and publish your content for real therapeutic settings.

- participate in a residency programme in the Carpathians mountains (Ukraine) for the final production of the videos;

• showcase their works to the wide public at large-scale final exhibition in Poland;
• contribute to using the final videos in real therapy sessions with patients and community groups across partner countries.

Over 12 months, artists will develop the skills to create immersive art experiences aligned with trauma-sensitive care and Positive Art Requirement, while contributing to real-world mental health support.

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Who we are looking for

We're seeking to support 20 artists (10+ from Ukraine and at least 1 from each EU partner country) who:

• Are curious about the intersection of art, technology and healing;
• Want to transform their practice into evidence-based therapeutic tools;
• Are open to collaboration with mental health professionals and social care specialists to effectively deliver immersive art-therapy practices;
• Believe that art can be transformative for individuals and communities.

Eligibility criteria

• Be a professional artist (individual or small artistic collective) coming from any creative discipline, including (but not limited to) visual arts, digital arts, music, ceramics, performance art, new media or other related fields;
• Be legally  resident of Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Sweden or Austria;
• Have a proven artistic practice, demonstrated through a strong artistic portfolio;
• Be fully available and willing to actively participate in all mandatory project activities;
• Be able to communicate and work effectively in English.

We especially encourage applications from:

• Women artists;
• Artists from underrepresented or vulnerable groups;
• Those with experience in community-based or socially engaged practices.

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Restrictions: No participation available to residents of the Russian Federation or Republic of Belarus.

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How to apply

The ART4MENTAL Open Call consists of two stages:

Stage 1 – Online Application

Submit your application form, including artistic portfolio, short motivation letter, curriculum vitae and signed declaration of honours through our official web site.

Stage 2 – Final Interview

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a 20-30 minute conversation with our Selection Committee.

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Timeline

• Call opens: 11 August 2026
• Application deadline: 11 November 2026, 18:00 CEST (Brussels)

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Questions? We are here to help.

Email: info.art4mental@gmail.com

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Media inquiries: media.art4mental@gmail.com